NO FAULT evictions have risen in Southampton according to figures from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

The data shows that 21 repossessions were made through accelerated possession orders in Southampton in the year up to March, up 16 from the year before.

The findings come on the back of the Government announcing its plan to abolish no fault evictions as part of the Renters (Reform) Bill – aiming to provide more security for tenants and empower them to challenge poor practice.

A spokesperson for Southampton Tenant’s Union told the Daily Echo: "Southampton Tenants' Union stands in solidarity with any tenant facing eviction, particularly no-fault Section 21 evictions which may be handed down at any time for any reason to almost any tenant.

“While the government claims it will abolish this practice with the Renters (Reform) Bill, the permittance of evictions for vague 'anti-social behaviour' will functionally allow these evictions to continue at the behest of amoral landlords.

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“This is disappointing but unsurprising when so many in government are themselves landlords!

"We at STU remain clear: we are calling for a ban on evictions in Southampton by 2024 to protect vulnerable tenants during the cost-of-living emergency, and we stand alongside our fellow tenant unions across Britain in demanding more from this bill."

The number of repossessions has nearly doubled through Section 21 nearly doubled across England and Wales last year, rising from 4,026 in the year to March 2022 to 8,048 a year later.

The lofty figure topped the record 7,742 evictions before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Councillor Lorna Fielker – deputy leader of Southampton City Council said: “It's really important for housing law to protect both landlords and tenant’s interests, however section 21 evictions have created a real lack of security for renters.

“We know how important having a stable home environment is for our health and wellbeing and on children's education, I welcome changes to housing law to provide renters with more certainty.”